Could you run for President of the United States? Well, Shirley Chisholm did. She was the first African American woman to run for the Democratic Party, which is still no small feat, even in the age of President Barack Obama. She’s a true pioneer, considering African Americans and women didn’t even have the right to vote in the early portion of the 20th century. Chisholm was a seven term Congresswoman for New York’s 12th district and was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Today we celebrate what would have been the late politician’s 88th birthday.

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